DHARAMSALA, March 4: Pakistan were again left frustrated in the build-up to their first Test series in India for six years after bad light halted day two of their warm-up game against an Indian Board President's XI.

All-rounder Abdul Razzaq provided a bright spot, top-scoring on Friday with an aggressive 63 for the only half century of the innings before Pakistan were 273 all out on the verge of lunch in the three-day match.

"My plan was to use this chance for practice and hitting a fifty has given me confidence," Razzaq said. The home team had reached 91 for one when poor light midway through the afternoon session forced the players indoors at this Himalayan hill station with play eventually called off as gloomy conditions persisted.

President's XI captain Mohammad Kaif, left out of the Indian squad for the first Test starting in Mohali on Tuesday, was 42 not out with left-handed opener Dheeraj Jadhav, highest run-scorer in Ranji Trophy competition this season, on 30.

Pakistan, resuming on 165 for five, lost Asim Kamal in the morning's second over, trapped leg before by pace man Shib Shankar Paul without adding to his overnight score of 43.

Razzaq and wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal (34) then produced an entertaining 59-run seventh wicket partnership before the latter was dismissed to make it seven for 228. Razzaq held one end up for about two hours, hitting all but 11 runs in boundaries, including two straight sixes against part-time off spinner Venugopal Rao, who was the most successful host bowler claiming three for 48.

He was the last man out, holing out left-arm spinner Dheeraj Patel to deep mid wicket. Pakistan pace men started promisingly when Rana Naved bowled opener Satyajit Parab for 11 but then struggled on a slow pitch.

Mohammad Sami, leading the new ball attack in the absence of injured strike bowler Shoaib Akhtar, lost momentum after bowling two testing overs at the start. Kaif hit him for two consecutive fours in one over and then smashed Razzaq past point for two more fours. Razzaq, coming on as first change, struggled for rhythm with Jadhav flicking him off his pads for two consecutive fours.

Razzaq said he looked forward to playing an all-rounder's role in the Test series, particularly in the absence of Shoaib. "After (playing in) Australia, I couldn't bowl much because it was raining in Pakistan.

Today I felt I was beginning to get my rhythm back," said Razzaq, who is the most successful pace bowler in the side, having taken 62 wickets in 30 Tests. "We don't have Shoaib or any other experienced bowler. So I have a lot of responsibility and will try and give 100 per cent."

SCOREBOARD